BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-For five weeks, nearly 20 teens who love to argue or geek out on justice have listened intently at the Central Library downtown as professional lawyers explained the ins-and-outs of the legal profession.

On Thursday, Feb. 23, the teens learned how to interview their witnesses on the stand. On Thursday, March 1, they’ll gain tips on how to cross-examine a witness. Welcome to the 2018 version of the Birmingham Public Library's Mock Trial Program, which debuted at the Central Library a year ago and was held again last fall at the Springville Road Regional Library.

The free workshops are held in the Central Library’s Teen Zone on Thursdays from 4-5:30 p.m. They are designed to introduce students from grades 6-12 in metro Birmingham to the critical thinking and advocacy skills utilized in courtroom trials. The program began on Jan. 25 and will conclude on March 22, 2018, when the students conduct a mock trial at the Jefferson County Courthouse across the street from the Central Library.

During preparation each week, students are learning to play the roles of a judge, defense lawyers and prosecutors, witnesses, and other courtroom roles. At the conclusion of the mock trial, a jury will deliberate and return with a verdict. The Mock Trial Program is a partnership between the Birmingham Public Library, the Northern District of Alabama’s U.S. Public Defender’s Office and the Birmingham Bar Foundation. For information call Lance Simpson at 205-226-3671 or email him at lmsimpson@bham.lib.al.us.

Here is a description of the last four weeks of the Mock Trial sessions:
Week 6.Witness Examinations-Cross (Thursday, March 1)
Week 7. Closing Arguments and Mock Trial Preparation (Thursday, March 8)
Week 8. Mock Trial Preparation (Thursday, March 15)
Week 9. Mock Trial (Thursday, March 22 at a Jefferson County courtroom)

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BPL
For additional information about the programs and services of the Birmingham Public Library, visit our website at www.bplonline.org and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter @BPL. The mission of Birmingham Public Library is to provide the highest quality library experience to our community for life-long learning, cultural enrichment, and enjoyment. This system—with 19 locations and serving the community for 130 years—is one of the largest library systems in the southeast.